OCR Text |
Show ANOTHER CONCESSION. .Newspaper telegraphic dispatches last week an I nounced that a readjustment of the tariff relations with France included a reduction of the tariff by the United States of 20 per cent on champagne. This concession will be hailed with delight by the great common people especially at this time of financial fi-nancial stringency, when wage reductions must be followed by similar reductions in the prices of the necessities of life. When local merchants are in the midst of stock-taking and midwinter sales, each offering from a quarter to a. half off on their stocks of merchandise, this reduction of one-fifth on the price of champagne comes also as a season able relief to be appreciated by all. It is in keeping keep-ing with the spirit of the day. Probably nothing has so militated against the United States and the American people reaching that economic independence, than this tax of 20 per cent on champagne. The large and ever-increasing ever-increasing use of champagne by the great common people, even under the high tariff of the Dingley law, indicates the saving which will follow the reduction, re-duction, and in the humble homes of the American workers there will be more money to spend on beans and potatoes than ever before. This is not the first concession made by tariff reciprocity for the benefit of the humbler classes of Americans, but it is one of the most important. Conting at a time when the forces of prohibition are but beginning begin-ning to feel their power, its effect in cheapening by one-fifth the Sparkling beverage with which the convivial soul regales himself in the wee sum' hours may be to stay for a moment the triumphant march of the teetotalers. Then, too, if the regret which follows the making of "a night of it" is accompanied by a similar reduction, no doubt the beneficent character of this reciprocity with France will he doubly appreciated. |